阅读说明：本技术 用于将电池组附接到车架的紧固装置 (Fastening device for attaching a battery pack to a vehicle frame ) 是由 塞巴斯蒂安·拉格特 乔纳坦·斯文森 桑德拉·兰德维克 米卡埃尔·博伊森 古斯塔夫·安德森 于 2019-04-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于将电池组附接到车辆的车架的紧固装置。所述紧固装置包括被布置成能够附接到车架的一个或多个主支架,每个所述主支架包括被布置成可悬挂地支撑对应安装元件的接纳构件。所述紧固装置还包括被构造成能够附接到电池组的一个或多个安装元件。所述紧固装置进一步包括被布置成将电池组压靠在所述一个或多个主支架上的一个或多个安装带。(A fastening device for attaching a battery pack to a frame of a vehicle. The fastening arrangement comprises one or more main brackets arranged to be attachable to a vehicle frame, each of the main brackets comprising a receiving member arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element. The fastening device also includes one or more mounting elements configured to be attachable to a battery pack. The fastening device further comprises one or more mounting straps arranged to press the battery pack against the one or more main brackets.)

1. A fastening device (300) for attaching a battery pack (100, 200) to a frame (310) of a vehicle (800), the fastening device (300) comprising one or more main brackets (320), the one or more main brackets (320) being arranged to be attachable (321) to the frame (310), each main bracket (320) comprising a receiving member (340), the receiving member (340) being arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element (170, 220), the fastening device (300) further comprising one or more mounting elements (170, 220) configured to be attachable to the battery pack (100, 200), characterized in that the fastening device (300) further comprises one or more mounting straps (350, 350a, 350b), the one or more mounting straps (350, 350a, 350b) being arranged to connect the battery pack (100, 200), 200) Pressing against the one or more main supports (320).

2. The fastening device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack (200) comprises a plurality of modules (110, 120, 121, 122) arranged adjacent to each other, each of the modules comprising a first and a second facing side wall (130, 131) arranged to face a respective side wall of an adjacent module, the fastening device further comprising at least one intermediate bracket (210), the at least one intermediate bracket (210) being arranged between the side walls of two adjacent modules to improve the structural integrity of the battery pack (200), wherein the intermediate bracket comprises one of the mounting elements (220) arranged to be suspendably supported by a receiving member (340) of a main bracket (320).

3. The fastening device (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pretension or stiffness of a first mounting strap (350 ') is different from the pretension or stiffness of a second mounting strap (350 "), thereby allowing to control the load distribution between the first mounting strap (350') and the second mounting strap (350").

4. The fastening device (300) according to claim 3, wherein the first mounting strap (350 ') is arranged closer to a middle point (M) of the battery pack (100) and has a greater stiffness than the second mounting strap (350 "), the second mounting strap (350") being arranged further from the middle point (M) than the first mounting strap (350'), thereby providing a more even load distribution between the first and second mounting straps.

5. The fastening device (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (310) comprises one or more frame rails, wherein the one or more main brackets (320) are arranged to be mounted on the frame rails.

6. The fastening device (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more main brackets (320) comprise a resilient element (330), the resilient element (330) being configured between the main bracket and the battery pack when the battery pack is pressed against the one or more main brackets.

7. A vehicle (800) comprising a fastening device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The vehicle (800) of claim 7, wherein the one or more main supports (320) are arranged on frame rails between a first axle (A1) and a second axle (A2) of the vehicle transversely to a forward direction (D) of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle (800) comprising one or more main supports (320) attached to a frame (310) of the vehicle (800), each of the main supports (320) comprising a receiving member (340), the receiving member (340) being arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element (170, 220) on a battery pack (100, 200), the vehicle further being arranged to receive one or more mounting straps (350, 350a, 350b), the one or more mounting straps (350, 350a, 350b) being arranged to press the battery pack (100, 200) against the one or more main supports (320).

10. The vehicle (800) of claim 9, wherein the one or more main supports (320) are arranged on frame rails between a first axle (a1) and a second axle (a2) of the vehicle (800).

11. A battery pack (100, 200) for mounting to a frame (310) of a vehicle (800), the battery pack (100) comprising a plurality of modules (120, 121, 122) arranged adjacent to each other, wherein at least one of the modules constitutes an electrical energy storage module, characterized in that each of the modules comprises a first and a second facing side wall (130, 131) arranged to face a respective side wall of an adjacent module and provide structural integrity of the battery pack, each of the side walls (130, 131) comprising a common interface group (140), the common interface group (140) being for engagement between adjacent modules (120, 121, 122, 123), the battery pack further comprising at least one control unit (110), the at least one control unit (110) having a side wall comprising the common interface group (140), wherein the control unit (110) further comprises a vehicle interface (150 ) for engaging the vehicle (800), 160).

12. The battery pack (100, 200) of claim 11, comprising one or more mounting elements (170), the one or more mounting elements (170) being arranged to be suspendably supported by a corresponding main support (320) attached to the frame (310), wherein the main support (320) comprises a receiving member (340), the receiving member (340) being arranged to suspendably support the mounting elements (170, 220).

13. The battery pack (200) according to claim 11 or 12, comprising at least one intermediate bracket (210), the at least one intermediate bracket (210) being arranged between the side walls (130, 131) of two adjacent modules (120, 121) to provide higher structural integrity of the battery pack (200), wherein the intermediate bracket (210) comprises a mounting element (220), the mounting element (220) being arranged to be suspendably supported by a corresponding main bracket (320) attached to the frame (310).

14. A method for securing a battery pack (100, 200) to a vehicle (800), the method comprising:

attaching (S1) one or more main supports (320) to a frame (310) of the vehicle, each said main support comprising a receiving member (340), said receiving member (340) being arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element (170, 220),

obtaining (S2) a battery pack (100, 200) comprising one or more mounting elements (170, 220), wherein each of the mounting elements is arranged to be suspendably supported by a corresponding receiving member (340) of the main support (320),

suspending (S3) the battery pack (100, 200) by mounting elements (170, 220) on the primary support receiving member (340),

providing (S4) one or more mounting straps (350, 350a, 350b), and

pressing (S6) the battery pack (100, 200) against the main support (320) by the mounting strap (350, 350a, 350b), thereby fixing the battery pack to the vehicle frame (310).

15. The method of claim 14, comprising: providing (S41) a first mounting strap (350 '), the pretension or stiffness of the first mounting strap (350 ') being different from the pretension or stiffness of a second mounting strap (350 '), thereby allowing control of the load distribution between the first and second mounting straps.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, comprising configuring (S5) a first mounting strap (350 ') to have a stiffness greater than a stiffness of a second mounting strap (350 "), wherein the first mounting strap (350') is arranged closer to a middle point (M) of the battery pack (100, 200) and the second mounting strap (350") is arranged further away from the middle point (M).

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a power supply for powering a vehicle, and to the manufacture of an electric vehicle.

The invention may be applied to cargo transport vehicles, such as for providing driving force in a trailer and semi-trailer combination. Although the invention will be described primarily in relation to a semi-trailer, the invention is not limited to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other vehicles, such as trucks, buses, recreational vehicles and construction equipment.

Background

Electric freight transport vehicles require an electric energy source, i.e. a battery system, which is able to provide the required power and has a sufficient energy capacity. Different types of freight transport vehicles have different requirements on the power and energy capacity of the battery system. Some vehicles for long haul transport of heavy goods may require a larger battery system than small vehicles used on shorter routes. Some vehicles also require higher power draw from the battery system than other vehicles.

Vehicles used for the transportation of goods often differ in, for example, wheelbase size, axle construction and load capacity. Therefore, the available space for efficiently installing the battery system is different between different vehicle models.

To cope with these different requirements, one or several additional battery packs may be mounted on the vehicle to increase the energy capacity as needed. However, this can lead to significant complexity increases when additional wiring of the battery interface is involved, such as electrical power, control signals, electrical ground and cooling.

US 20120224326 a1 discloses a modular battery structure in which the number of modules can be selected based on energy requirements.

Batteries in electric vehicles, particularly in freight transportation vehicles, are often very large and heavy. Therefore, there is a need for a safe and efficient way to mount these battery systems to a vehicle frame. Such a mounting solution should facilitate the production of the assembly line, since the time spent at each station of the assembly line is limited. The installation solution should also be safe in the sense of minimizing the risk of injury to the technician.

CN 208515563U discloses a battery mounting arrangement comprising a bracket having a hook portion onto which protruding mechanical mounting elements of a battery pack can be mounted.

There is a need for a battery system that can be adapted to different types of electric vehicles and that is easily assembled on the vehicle during the manufacturing process.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening device, a battery pack, and a method for mounting a battery pack to a vehicle.

This object is at least partly achieved by a fastening device for attaching a battery pack to a frame of a vehicle. The fastening device comprises one or more main brackets arranged to be attachable to a vehicle frame. Each main support comprises a receiving member arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element. The fastening device comprises one or more mounting elements configured to be attachable to the battery pack, and one or more mounting straps arranged to press the battery pack against the one or more primary brackets.

The combination of the suspendably supported mounting element and the mounting strap provides an efficient and safe assembly and also secures the battery pack to the vehicle frame.

According to aspects, a battery pack includes a plurality of modules arranged adjacent to each other. Each module comprises a first and a second facing side wall arranged to face a respective side wall of an adjacent module. The fastening means comprises at least one intermediate bracket arranged between the side walls of two adjacent modules, thereby improving the structural integrity of the battery pack, wherein the intermediate bracket comprises one of the mounting elements arranged to be suspendably supported by the receiving member of the main bracket.

The intermediate support provides greater structural integrity to the overall battery assembly while providing a stronger anchor for the mounting member.

According to aspects, the pretension or stiffness of the first mounting band is different from the pretension or stiffness of the second mounting band, thereby allowing control of the load distribution between the first and second mounting bands.

Thus, the pretension or stiffness of the first mounting band can advantageously be selected by a corresponding pretension or stiffness with respect to the second mounting band to control and optimize the load distribution on the fastening means portion. For example, a first mounting strap is disposed closer to a midpoint of the battery pack and has greater stiffness than a second mounting strap disposed further from the midpoint than the first mounting strap, thereby providing more uniform load distribution between the first and second mounting straps.

The pretension of the stiffness value can be selected based on the vehicle type and the battery pack size, which allows further optimization of the mechanical properties of the fastening device.

According to various aspects, the frame comprises one or more frame rails and the one or more main brackets are arranged to be mounted on the frame rails.

For example, frame rails located between the axles of the vehicle provide a suitable area for mounting the battery pack. The disclosed fastening device is particularly suited for mounting a battery pack to the side of a frame rail.

According to various aspects, the one or more primary brackets include a resilient element, such as a rubber element or other vibration damping member, configured between the primary brackets and the battery pack when the battery pack is pressed against the one or more primary brackets.

The elastic member provides the vibration damping properties of the fastening device, which is an advantage. The resilient member also protects the battery pack during assembly (e.g., when the battery pack is suspendably supported on the main bracket, the battery pack swings downward to impact the main bracket).

Vehicles and battery packs associated with the above advantages are also disclosed herein.

The above objects are also at least partially achieved by a method of securing a battery pack to a vehicle. The method includes attaching one or more main supports to a frame of the vehicle. Each main support comprises a receiving member arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element. The method also includes obtaining a battery pack including one or more mounting elements, wherein each mounting element is arranged to be suspendably supported by a corresponding receiving member of the primary support, and suspending the battery pack by the mounting element on the primary support receiving member. The method further includes providing one or more mounting straps and pressing the battery pack against the main support via the mounting straps, thereby securing the battery pack to the frame.

According to aspects, the method also includes providing a first mounting strap having a different pretension or stiffness than a pretension or stiffness of a second mounting strap, thereby controlling load distribution between the first and second mounting straps.

According to some further aspects, the method includes configuring a first mounting strap with a stiffness greater than a stiffness of a second mounting strap, wherein the first mounting strap is disposed closer to a midpoint of the battery pack and the second mounting strap is disposed farther from the midpoint.

In general, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, device, component, measure, step, etc" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, measure, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Drawings

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples. In the drawings:

fig. 1 to 2 schematically show a battery pack;

fig. 3 to 5 show examples of battery pack fastening devices;

fig. 6 to 7 show an example of a battery pack mounted on a vehicle frame;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a vehicle having a battery pack;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method; and

fig. 10 shows an example of a battery pack mounted on a vehicle frame.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain aspects of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and aspects set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings; on the contrary, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

As mentioned above, battery packs in electric vehicles, particularly freight transportation vehicles, are typically very large and heavy. Therefore, there is a need for a safe and efficient way to mount these battery systems to a vehicle frame. Due to the limited time spent on each station of the assembly line, the installation solution should facilitate production on the assembly line.

The present disclosure includes a fastening device that simplifies assembly of a heavy battery pack to a vehicle. The fastening device comprises three main components: a support; a mounting element arranged to be suspendably supported by the bracket; and a mounting strap.

The battery pack has one or more mounting elements attached thereto that are adapted to be suspended from corresponding brackets mounted on the frame. In this way, the technician can lift the heavy battery into position and suspensibly support it from the bracket on the vehicle frame. Once suspendably supported, the technician may proceed without risk to further secure the battery pack to the vehicle by pressing the battery pack against the mounting strap on the bracket. The mounting strap may be assembled immediately after the battery pack is lifted onto the rack, or may be assembled at a later point in time. For example, the battery pack may be temporarily secured in a hanging position using a temporary mounting strap, and a more permanent mounting strap may be assembled at a later station along the manufacturing line, perhaps after the connection between the vehicle and battery pack has been installed.

Different types of freight transport vehicles have different requirements on the power output and energy capacity of the battery system. Vehicles used for cargo transportation also differ in, for example, wheelbase size, axle construction, and load capacity. Therefore, the available space for efficiently installing the battery system is different between different vehicle models.

The present disclosure also includes a modular battery pack that can be adapted to different energy capacity requirements and frame geometries. The proposed modular battery system is scalable in that it includes modules that can be assembled into suitable battery packs as needed, where the battery packs have physical dimensions configured to fit a given vehicle frame while providing the required electrical power and energy capacity. In this way, batteries specifically tailored for a particular vehicle may be transported to a manufacturing station and assembled with the vehicle in an efficient manner. The battery pack may also be configured to include a single control unit having an interface for connecting to a vehicle. Thus, even if the battery size between vehicles changes, the interface towards the vehicles remains unchanged, which makes the assembly procedure more efficient.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an example battery pack according to the present teachings. The battery pack 100 may be mounted to a frame of a vehicle. Typically, the frame, also referred to as the chassis of the vehicle, is the main support structure of the motor vehicle to which all other components are attached. One example of a vehicle 800 built around frame 310 will be discussed below in conjunction with fig. 8. The frame 310 may comprise a longitudinal beam extending between, for example, the wheel axles, to which the battery pack may be mounted.

The battery pack 100 includes a plurality of modules 120, 121, 122 arranged adjacent to each other. The battery pack 100 is constructed in a sandwich manner, in which each module is disposed adjacent to at least one other module. The module in the middle of the battery, like module 121, has two adjacent modules, whereas the modules 120, 122 at the ends of the sandwich naturally have only one adjacent module.

To provide electrical power to the vehicle 800, at least one module constitutes an electrical energy storage module. Since the number of modules determines the electrical energy storage capacity, the required capacity can be obtained by selecting the appropriate number of modules, provided that all modules have the same voltage and are connected in parallel. To obtain higher voltages, some modules may be connected in series. Optionally, a common interface group 140 can be configured between the series electrical connection and the parallel electrical connection between the modules. Thus, the entire battery pack voltage can be simply configured via the common interface pack.

Each module comprises a first 130 and a second 131 mutually facing side wall arranged to face a respective side wall of an adjacent module and provide structural integrity of the battery pack. The module 121 in the middle of the sandwich structure has a side wall facing two other modules, while the end modules 120, 122 have one side wall facing the other module. The sidewalls 130, 131 are made of a structural support material, such as hard plastic or metal. This structural support material makes the sandwich structure strong and allows it to withstand mechanical stresses.

Each sidewall 130, 131 includes a common interface group 140 to interface between adjacent modules 120, 121, 122. This common interface group will be discussed in more detail below. It should be noted, however, that the common interface pack passes through the side wall and is therefore located inside the battery pack. This means that the common interface group is protected from external disturbances by external objects. Furthermore, the common interface group does not interfere with fastening means, for example for mounting the battery pack to a vehicle. For example, the mounting tape may be used without damaging the common interface group.

According to aspects, the common interface group 140 includes connection components for electrical power, electrical ground, and a cooling medium for cooling one or more electrical energy storage modules. Thus, the control unit 110 is connected to each battery module via the common interface group.

The battery pack 100 also includes at least one control unit 110 having a side wall including a common interface group 140. The control unit 110 further comprises a vehicle interface 150, 160 for engaging with a vehicle.

In this way, there is only a single contact point with respect to the vehicle, at least in the case where only one control unit is used in the battery pack sandwich structure. Regardless of how many modules are included in the battery pack 100, the electrical power connection, the ground connection, and possibly also the cooling medium connection are engaged by the control unit. This simplifies vehicle design, for example, because different vehicles with different battery capacity requirements may have the same electrical power wiring solution.

It should be noted that the battery pack may include more than one control unit 110.

According to various aspects, the control unit 110 comprises any one of: a Battery Management Unit (BMU), one or more fuses, a vehicle electrical interface 150, and a vehicle cooling medium interface 160.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a battery pack 200 that includes at least one intermediate bracket 210 disposed between the side walls 130, 131 of two adjacent modules 120, 121 to provide greater structural integrity to the battery pack 200. The intermediate support further reinforces the structural support already provided by the side walls. For example, where the side walls are made of a hard plastic, the intermediate bracket may be made of steel or aluminum. The intermediate bracket 210, which is disposed between two modules or between a module and the control unit 110, serves as an interface between the modules and also serves as a structural support.

Optionally, the intermediate bracket 210 comprises mounting elements 220 for mounting the battery pack 200 to the vehicle frame such that the side walls 130, 131 are oriented perpendicular to the driving direction D of the vehicle. Thus, the intermediate bracket provides a robust mounting option suitable for attaching a battery pack to a side rail, such as frame 310.

Fig. 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and 5 show a fastening device 300 according to the present teachings. One or more main supports 320 are attached 321 to the frame 310. Each primary support includes a receiving member 340 arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element 170, 220 on the battery pack. The receiving member may be formed as, for example, a hook or U-shaped protrusion configured to receive and retain a corresponding protrusion on the mounting element. Thus, the receiving member 340 counteracts the gravitational force acting on the mounting element, thereby holding it in place.

The crane 360 may be disengaged once the battery has been lifted into position by the crane 360 or similar lifting arrangement, i.e. once it is suspendably supported by the main support. To complete the assembly, the battery pack is pressed against the main support 320 using the mounting band 350 so as to ensure the assembly.

Optionally, the main support includes a resilient element 330, such as a rubber pad, configured between the battery pack 100 and the main support 320.

Fig. 10 shows an example of a fastening means in which the battery pack is pressed against the main support 320 using the top mounting strip 350a and the bottom mounting strip 350b to secure the assembly, rather than covering the entire battery pack with a single strip. It should be appreciated that one or more of the mounting straps 350a, 350b may be arranged in a number of different ways while still performing the intended function of pressing the battery pack against the main support 320 to ensure assembly.

Fig. 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and 5 show examples of sequences of events during mounting of the battery pack 100 to the vehicle frame 310 using the fastening device 300.

In fig. 3a, the main support 320 is attached 321 to the frame 310. Such attachment may include, for example, bolting the main bracket to the frame, riveting the main bracket to the frame, or welding the main bracket to the frame.

In fig. 3b, the mounting strap 350 has been attached 351 to the main support 320. Alternatively, the main bracket 350 may be a temporary strap for temporarily fixing the battery pack to the vehicle frame during manufacturing. The mounting strip 350 may also be a more permanent mounting strip as part of the final fastening device 350.

The mounting straps may be nylon or fabric mounting straps or may be metal mounting straps such as those commonly used to secure fuel tanks to the vehicle frame 310. The mounting straps are generally known and will not be discussed in detail herein.

Fig. 4a shows a lifting device 360, such as a crane or the like, for lifting 361 the battery pack including the mounting elements 170, 220 into position such that the battery pack is suspendably supported by the receiving member 340 of said main support 320. Once suspendably supported, the lifting device 360 may be safely disengaged. Then, the installation technician can continue the assembly operation without worrying about the battery pack 100. Thus, an efficient and safe assembly process is enabled.

Fig. 4b shows the mounting strap 350 arranged 351 in preparation for pressing the battery packs 100, 200 against the main support 320.

Fig. 5 shows the final result after pressing the battery packs 100, 200 against the main support 320.

In summary, a fastening device 300 for attaching a battery pack 100, 200 to a frame 310 of a vehicle 800 is disclosed herein. The fastening arrangement includes one or more main supports 320 arranged to be attachable 321 to the frame 310. Each main support 320 includes a receiving member 340 arranged to suspendably support the corresponding mounting element 170, 220 of the battery pack 100, 200. The fastening device 300 also includes one or more mounting elements 170, 220 configured to be attachable to the battery packs 100, 200. The fastening device further includes one or more mounting straps 350, 350a, 350b arranged to press the battery pack against the one or more main brackets 320.

It should be noted that the intermediate bracket 210 discussed above may optionally be used to reinforce the assembly. In this case, the mounting elements 220 of the intermediate bracket 210 are also used to suspendably support the battery pack 200 from the corresponding main bracket receiving member 340.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example of the battery pack 100 attached to a set of main supports 320 by the disclosed fastening device 300.

In this context, stiffness is the degree to which an object resists deformation in response to an applied force. The complementary concept is flexibility or pliability: the more flexible the object, the lower the stiffness.

Referring to fig. 6, optionally, the pretension or stiffness of the first mounting strap 350' is different from the pretension or stiffness of the second mounting strap 350 ". This allows for control of the load distribution between first mounting strip 350' and second mounting strip 350 ".

One example of this type of load distribution includes arranging a first mounting strap 350 'that is stiffer than a second mounting strap 350 "closer to a midpoint M of the battery pack 100, where the second mounting strap 350" is arranged farther from the midpoint M than the first mounting strap 350'. In this way, a more even load distribution between the first and second mounting strips 350', 350 "may be achieved.

Fig. 7 shows a top view of the battery pack 100 attached to the vehicle frame 310. Fig. 7 also schematically shows a connection 710 between the battery pack and the vehicle.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a vehicle 800 including a fastening device 300 according to the present teachings. One or more main supports are disposed on the frame rails of the vehicle 800 between the first and second axles a1, a2 and transverse to the forward direction D of the vehicle.

Thus, fig. 8 shows a vehicle 800 that includes one or more main supports 320 attached to a frame 310. Each main support 320 includes a receiving member 340 arranged to suspendably support a corresponding mounting element 170, 220 on the battery pack 100. The vehicle is arranged to receive one or more mounting straps 350, 350a, 350b arranged to press the battery pack against the main support.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method. A method for securing a battery pack 100, 200 to a vehicle 800 is shown. The method comprises the following steps:

attaching S1 one or more main supports 320 to the frame 310 of the vehicle, each main support comprising a receiving member 340 arranged to suspendably support a respective mounting element 170, 220,

obtaining S2 a battery pack 100, 200 comprising one or more mounting elements 170, 220, wherein each mounting element is arranged to be suspendably supported by a corresponding receiving member 340 of a main support 320,

the battery packs 100, 200 are suspended S3 by the mounting elements 170, 220 on the primary support receiving member 340,

providing S4 one or more mounting straps 350, 350a, 350b, and

the battery pack 100, 200 is pressed S6 against the main support 320 by the mounting straps 350, 350a, 350b, thereby securing the battery pack to the vehicle frame 310.

This method of assembling the battery pack to the vehicle 800 is exemplified above in connection with fig. 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and 5. The relevant method parts are shown in these figures.

It should be appreciated that the mounting straps 350, 350a, 350b may be arranged in a number of different ways to press the battery packs 100, 200 against the main support 320. One such option is shown in fig. 10, where top mounting straps 350a and bottom mounting straps 350b are used instead of mounting straps 350 that extend across the entire battery pack. Other mounting strap configurations are possible.

According to some aspects, the method includes providing S41 a first mounting strap 350 ', the preload or stiffness of the first mounting strap 350' being different from the preload or stiffness of the second mounting strap 350 ", thereby allowing control of the load distribution between the first and second mounting straps.

According to some other aspects, the method includes configuring S5 a first mounting strap 350 'to have a stiffness greater than a stiffness of a second mounting strap 350 ", wherein the first mounting strap 350' is disposed closer to a midpoint M of the battery pack 100, 200 and the second mounting strap 350" is disposed farther from the midpoint M.

Mounting straps with variable stiffness and/or pretension are discussed above in connection with fig. 6.